The First Step is Always the Hardest

It was a Friday night, I was in the gym, doing my treadmill, but all of a sudden, my past flashed before my very eyes.

Chubby, big belly, puffing one cigarette after another, after another, after another. No I was not hallucinating. I was seeing one of the gym-goers, big belly, puffing cigarettes non-stop, standing outside the gym, only the glass pane separated us.

I won’t say what gym I go to, for security purposes. 😛

No offense to all the smokers.

That was my last day of training in preparation for the big event. I had to train for 2 weeks for my first ever run.

Every Journey Begins with the First Step

I remember how it all started.

The first step is always the hardest.

Every time I hit the treadmill and run for about 10 minutes, there’s always this voice telling me to stop because of the discomfort I was feeling.

Those blisters on my sole, the spasm in my legs…These I had to bear.

But as soon as I hit the 20 minute mark of every run, that’s when everything starts getting so light.

As if I can run all day.

And so, My First Ever Run!

When I finally started my run on the road last December, I realized that it’s far different with that of running in the threadmill.

My pace changed. I was struggling literally. I felt like my knees couldn’t bear my weight at all.

It was also discouraging to see others going way ahead of me, and yet the finish line is yet to be seen, to think that I was already running for more than an hour.

Several times did I think of just step out of that run and just be comfortable not feeling any pain and discomforts.

But that was not the purpose of why I was there in the first place.

I thought of every battle I started and only then that I decided to fight.

As soon as I finished the race, I suddenly forgot all the hardships I’ve gone through.

Thank God I Made It

Yayy! Have you had that moment?? Like as if, you just won a battle? 😉

That was how I felt.

It was indeed a hard-fought run especially that it was my first time.

And, yes, I also got a medal. You’ll enjoy receiving this when you join running events!

My Realization

I realized that, that run that I had, was something similar with that of life.

Looking back at my old life, I was reminded that everything was a preparation for something bigger.

I still remember when I used to smoke up to 2 packs per day. Oh and yes, not to mention that I also got diagnosed to have prehypertension.

I had to take all the maintenance medicines just for my blood pressure to normalize.

Oh and don’t forget about my big belly.

 A Lot of Things are Really Hard When You’re Starting.

When I decided to quit smoking, it was a struggle for me, but guess what, it’s been 6 years since I last puffed a single cigarette.

When I started to hit the gym, I thought of quitting for several times, but guess what, I’ve been going to the gym for 3-6 days a week for 2 years now.

When I started my 16 K run (Yep, my first ever run! 😀 ) , I had to endure all the blisters and the muscle spasms, but guess what, I made it to the finish line.

Friends, what is it that you’d really want to start or achieve?

Sure, life is difficult and there’d be times you feel you’re being knocked down.

There’d be times you’d fail in your first try.

There’d be times you’d be discouraged by other voices telling you, you cannot succeed in life.

There’d be times, people will even mock you and laugh at you.

And many times, you’ll see people getting ahead of you.

But the question really is, how will you respond to it?

Will you let these negativities bother you or will you accept the challenge?

I invite you to take that first step in getting what you really want in life.

Be bold in accepting the challenge and don’t let anything get in your way just to reach those stars.

And be firm to embrace all the challenges along the way.

You may not see the finish line just yet but just hold on and persevere. I guarantee that you’ll soon finish the race.

I won’t promise that it will be easy, but hey, I tell you, it will all be worth it.

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March Nacino

March Nacino is known as “The Radical Runner” in the running community. He basically loves to join marathons. When he’s not training for his next big race, he works as a freelance Digital Marketing Specialist helping his clients with their Digital Marketing needs. Follow March at theradicalrunner.com.

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